Fayetteville Museum Hosting 'Airport Days' To Keep Doors Open

FAYETTEVILLE -- The Arkansas Air and Military Museum has struggled for several years to keep its doors open.

The museum says people forget it even exists.

"Basically, our foot traffic diminished significantly when (formerly) I-540 opened," said Russ Smith, museum board member. "It went from 26,000 a year down to 6,000 a year. Like I said, people just don't drive past here anymore."

For the museum, it's about more than just planes. With "Airport Days", they're hoping to remind folks that they're still here.

One of the pilots participating in "Airport Days" says the key to bringing folks back to the museum is to make them fall in love with flying.

"We've got a great museum here in town and we want people to come out, discover the museum and while they're here, discover flying if they wish," said Mark Frankum, pilot and owner of local flying school "SkyVenture."

The museum says that formula is starting to work.

"Foot traffic through the museum has been better this year than it has for several summers past," Smith said.

The event is Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Arkansas Air and Military Museum.

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